Question for the savvy cruisers

[itsdisneytime]

Hello all,

Don't laugh me out of here - but I keep reading about ship credits.. is there a better place to book a Disney Cruise that offers them? I've only sailed once before with Disney and am looking to do so again, but am very curious about the onboard credits and if i should look into a good, better, or best place to book with incentives. Thanks in advance

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello all,

Don't laugh me out of here - but I keep reading about ship credits.. is there a better place to book a Disney Cruise that offers them? I've only sailed once before with Disney and am looking to do so again, but am very curious about the onboard credits and if i should look into a good, better, or best place to book with incentives. Thanks in advance

The way you get onboard credits is, generally, to use a travel agent to book your cruise. Many of them offer perks for using their services to book your trip. How much OBC is offered varies by TA, you need to ask various TAs what their offers are and make your choice.

Not all TAs offer OBC, some do other things, like free bottle of wine, or a photo package.

 

[itsdisneytime]

The way you get onboard credits is, generally, to use a travel agent to book your cruise. Many of them offer perks for using their services to book your trip. How much OBC is offered varies by TA, you need to ask various TAs what their offers are and make your choice.

Not all TAs offer OBC, some do other things, like free bottle of wine, or a photo package.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I appreciate the input

 

[fdefulvio]

I just rescheduled my cancelled cruise through Costco this morning. They don’t do OBC but they offer a Costco cash card of 8% after your cruise is completed. You don’t have to spend it at Costco. You can take it to any Costco and they were will give you a check.

 

[cvjw]

We book thru Costco because their cash back is so good. Around 8% of the cruise price on a Costco reward card, plus 3% back if you use their credit card, plus another 2% back if you are an executive member.

The downside to using Costco has come out during the pandemic and all the cruise cancellations. You must talk to Costco if you book thru them and it has been very difficult at some times in the last few months to get a Costco rep on the phone.

We will still use them though - the cash back is hard to pass up!

 

[itsdisneytime]

I just rescheduled my cancelled cruise through Costco this morning. They don’t do OBC but they offer a Costco cash card of 8% after your cruise is completed. You don’t have to spend it at Costco. You can take it to any Costco and they were will give you a check.

Thank you so much. Im really considering a cruise this December. If you don't mind me asking, when did you re-book for? Do you think December is too soon following this Pandemic we are trying to climb out of?

 

[itsdisneytime]

We book thru Costco because their cash back is so good. Around 8% of the cruise price on a Costco reward card, plus 3% back if you use their credit card, plus another 2% back if you are an executive member.

The downside to using Costco has come out during the pandemic and all the cruise cancellations. You must talk to Costco if you book thru them and it has been very difficult at some times in the last few months to get a Costco rep on the phone.

We will still use them though - the cash back is hard to pass up!

Such wise advice! I am indeed an executive member, I cant wait to look into this. Thank you

 

[fdefulvio]

August 2021. Rescheduled from August 2020. Nobody really knows when they will start cruising again, and even more importantly what will the cruise experience be like. As much as I wanted to sail this August, I’m much happier now knowing that there is a much greater chance that things will be back to normal by next summer. Unfortunately, I doubt that any cruises if they were to sail this year won’t have some compromises.

 

[fdefulvio]

Such wise advice! I am indeed an executive member, I cant wait to look into this. Thank you

When you price a cruise on Costco’s travel site it will clearly state the amount of the cash card.

Costco also offers trip insurance at a reasonable rate. I think you can only purchase it after you schedule your cruise. I don’t get the “cancel for any reason” option which allows you to wait until your PIF date which I think is 90 days before sailing. I think you can cancel any time before the PIF date and get a full refund.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You can take it to any Costco and they were will give you a check.

I believe this isn't always true.

 

[fdefulvio]

I believe this isn't always true.

I have heard that also, but my Costco has always honored cashing out my CC and Executive rewards. I think I did spend my cruise cash card on a Costco purchase.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

There was a big discussion on these forums a few months back that they are no longer allowing members to trade out the Costco Gift cards for physical cash like they used to. I tried to find the thread but couldn't so just keep this in mind when booking through this route.

Many on here have stated that they will avoid booking with Costco in the future due to all the issues with Cancelling/Moving/Refunding cruises so just be forewarned that there have been some... hurdles lately for guests booking with Costco.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I tried to find the thread but couldn't so just keep this in mind when booking through this route.

https://disboards.com/threads/costco-cash-card-cash-out.3777313/

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

^ Thank you! Not sure if I just skipped over it or what...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

^ Thank you! Not sure if I just skipped over it or what...

I had forgotten about that thread, so I went looking for it.

 

[cvjw]

My Costco does not allow you to cash out the reward card given for travel. I just use it for my regular shopping and put the cash I didn't use that month into my travel fund. I cash it out myself . And I have no issues spending money at Costco!

 

[o&smom]

I have heard that also, but my Costco has always honored cashing out my CC and Executive rewards. I think I did spend my cruise cash card on a Costco purchase.

They just changed it this year. They even changed the name. We had no problem spending ours at Costco since we got back from our March cruise. Time for our next one.

 

[o&smom]

There was a big discussion on these forums a few months back that they are no longer allowing members to trade out the Costco Gift cards for physical cash like they used to. I tried to find the thread but couldn't so just keep this in mind when booking through this route.

Many on here have stated that they will avoid booking with Costco in the future due to all the issues with Cancelling/Moving/Refunding cruises so just be forewarned that there have been some... hurdles lately for guests booking with Costco.

We have still been having good luck with Costco, even since all the craziness. We have gotten through to them quite easily twice to rebook.

 

[TestingH2O]

I always think that Dreams Unlimited should at least be mentioned on these threads. They are the sponsors of this board and offer a good credit. Since they do provide these boards, which I do enjoy, I figure they should at least have a chance to earn your business.

 

[The Sasquatch]

I always think that Dreams Unlimited should at least be mentioned on these threads. They are the sponsors of this board and offer a good credit. Since they do provide these boards, which I do enjoy, I figure they should at least have a chance to earn your business.

This!!! I always find it hard to believe that people mention everything else but the creators/owners/sponsors of these message boards. It’s the reason they exist, so go support Dreams Unlimited Travel. They will provide you with a shipboard credit based on the amount of your cruise up to $1000 and they give you a great gift basket prior to your sailing. They will monitor your reservations for available discounts and save you money if possible. While your at it, subscribe to all of their great podcasts including the DCL Show!

after all this time, I think I got that commercial right Pete and John! Lol